The Ogun State House of Assembly and its Oyo State counterpart have pledged to work together to resolve a long-standing boundary dispute between the two states.
The Speaker of the Ogun Assembly, Daisi Elemide, described the boundary issue as a family affair that would be resolved amicably.
Members of the Oyo State Assembly, led by the Deputy Speaker, Mohammed Fadeyi, visited the Ogun Speaker on Wednesday in Abeokuta. The meeting was jointly chaired by the Deputy Speakers of Ogun and Oyo states, Lateefat Ajayi and Fadeyi, respectively.
In his remarks, the Ogun Speaker said, “The unity, peaceful coexistence, and development of the South-West remain sacrosanct. Therefore, it is essential that officials from the National Boundary Commission be present at the next meeting.
“The team will also need to conduct a joint physical inspection of the affected sites to address all issues raised by representatives of the boundary communities.”
Elemide urged residents of the boundary communities to remain calm and maintain peace, assuring them that Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, would be kept informed of the progress made by the two Houses of Assembly.
The Deputy Speaker of the Oyo Assembly, Fadeyi, stated that their mission was to collaborate with their Ogun State counterparts to find a lasting solution to the boundary conflicts between the two states.
He named the affected communities as Ibarapa East and Ibarapa Central — Elere, Ayegbede, Opeji, Ilugun, Atakan, and Aya villages, as well as Iddo/Bakatari, Obete, and Apojola.
Fadeyi explained that the issue was raised as a matter of urgent public importance on the floor of the Oyo State House of Assembly. Hence, there was a need to seek the support of the Ogun State House of Assembly and the representatives of the affected villagers to come together with their Oyo counterparts to find a legislative solution to the recurring conflicts.